Hiking Safety: The 10 Essentials Every Hiker Needs

The 10 Essentials are the items every hiker should carry on every hike — even short ones. Originally codified by The Mountaineers in the 1930s, the modern list has been refined to handle modern hazards (and modern gear weights).

The modern 10 Essentials

1. Navigation — offline trail map app + paper backup on remote routes.
2. Sun protection — sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
3. Insulation — extra warm layer beyond your forecasted needs.
4. Illumination — headlamp with fresh batteries. Headlamps on Amazon→.
5. First aid — compact kit + any personal medications.
6. Fire — lighter + tinder in a waterproof bag.
7. Repair kit and tools — multi-tool, duct tape, cordage.
8. Nutrition — extra food beyond your planned meals.
9. Hydration — water + a means to filter or purify more.
10. Emergency shelter — bivy sack or space blanket. Emergency bivy on Amazon→.

Why this list is misunderstood

The 10 Essentials aren’t about everyday hiking — they’re about unplanned overnights. The question every item answers is: “If I’m forced to stay out tonight, do I have what I need to be safe until morning?”

How heavy is the 10 Essentials kit?

Done well, the full kit weighs around 2–3 lb. Most hikers already carry 7 of 10 without thinking about it (food, water, sunglasses, sunscreen, layer, headlamp, phone-as-map). Adding the missing 3 is usually under 1 lb.

Where most hikers fall short

• Emergency shelter: a 3-oz space blanket is enough. Don’t skip this.
• Fire starter: a Bic lighter weighs 11 g.
• Paper map: phones die. A printed topo of your trail solves this for under 1 oz.

Building your kit

Run your trail type through our Hiking Safety Prioritizer to get a personalized 10-Essentials list. For multi-day or remote trips, layer the Trail Weather Planner on top to add condition-specific safety extras (extra insulation for cold; satellite messenger for remote).

Practice using your kit

Carrying a first-aid kit you’ve never opened is worse than not carrying one — you’ll waste critical minutes fumbling. Once a year, lay everything out, replace expired items, and remind yourself what’s inside.